An article by Catherine Varney in the Times & Citizen reports that Bedford Borough Council refers 4,726 residents to debt recovery agencies, Central Beds refers 2,218, presumably this is per year.
The article quotes a spokesperson for Bedford Borough saying, "Before the council can instruct a Baliff it must have issued at least one reminder notice and must obtain an order for payment from the magistrates' court".
Roger Hayes from the British Constitution group has long questioned the legitimacy of the council tax. Specifically, councils breaking the law by issuing their own summonses and liability orders. His own court room experience tells of how confident councils are that there can only be one outcome. He states, '' Mr Fixit-for-the-council’ had every intention of steamrolling this hearing to a pre-determined conclusion – i.e. in favour of the council". He outlines how an unsigned liability order was presented as evidence by the council.
Judicial oath "I, _________ , do swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second in the office of ________ , and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. " Are judges fulfilling their oath of office or are they merely acting as administrators?
The system is stacked against us and it is for this reason that it must be challenged. We want our courts dealing with justice not acting as a revenue collecting tools for the government and local councils, whose remit seems to be to take as much money from us as they can get away with. Excessive and unreasonable speeding and parking fines are just two examples of oppressive regulations that are making our lives a misery. Overzealous officialdom is the scourge of our lives and it needs to be put firmly back in its box. They are supposed to serve us not oppress us. (uk column)